My Brilliant Friend TV Series Debuts on Rai 1 with Strong Viewership
The television adaptation of Elena Ferrante's novel "My Brilliant Friend" premiered on Rai 1, directed by Saverio Costanzo. The first two episodes, titled "Le bambole" and "I soldi," were shot in Neapolitan dialect and feature Elisa del Genio as Elena (Lenù) and Ludovica Nasti as Raffaella (Lila). The screenplay was supervised by Ferrante herself and writer Francesco Piccolo. The series is set in the Luzzatti district of 1950s Naples, reconstructed in a former factory near Caserta. Co-produced by HBO and Rai, the show reached over 7 million viewers. The story explores themes of social emancipation and class struggle within a patriarchal society, highlighting the bond of solidarity between the two protagonists.
Key facts
- The series is based on Elena Ferrante's novel 'My Brilliant Friend'.
- Saverio Costanzo directed the first two episodes.
- Elisa del Genio plays Elena (Lenù) and Ludovica Nasti plays Raffaella (Lila).
- The screenplay was supervised by Elena Ferrante and Francesco Piccolo.
- The series is shot in Neapolitan dialect.
- The setting is the Luzzatti district of 1950s Naples, reconstructed near Caserta.
- The series is co-produced by HBO and Rai.
- The premiere reached over 7 million viewers.
Entities
Artists
- Elena Ferrante
- Saverio Costanzo
- Francesco Piccolo
- Elisa del Genio
- Ludovica Nasti
- Eduardo De Filippo
- Luigi Affabile
Institutions
- Rai 1
- HBO
- Rai
- Artribune
- ITIS Enrico Medi
Locations
- Naples
- Italy
- Caserta
- San Giorgio a Cremano
- Luzzatti district
- Venezia